Region's skateboarding scene gets new life

Static Skatepark in Cornelius offers a variety of street-style obstacles along with half and quarter pipes. (Jackson Sveen/Herald Weekly photo)

By Jackson Sveen

CORNELIUS – Charlotte may have lost the bid to hold the 2014 X Games, but the skateboarding scene around Lake Norman isn't slowing down.

There are hundreds of skateboards around Lake Norman, and two new venues in Cornelius promote the extreme sport.

The Embassy Skate Shop and Static Skatepark, situated next door to each other in the Shops on the Green, have everything that a skateboarder could need.

Drew Fabrizi and Chris Owens took over Static Skatepark in May after the previous owners decided to close their doors.

Fabrizi and Owens were living in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., working in completely unrelated fields.

Owens, who is originally from Charlotte, told Fabrizi that he wanted to get back into the skateboarding scene and open up a retail shop.

Shortly after moving up here, Fabrizi was grabbing some food when he saw Get a Grip skatepark.

“I logged on the Internet, saw the website and two days later they said they were going out of business,” Fabrizi said. “It was unbelievable how it happened so quickly. We didn't get here till March and by May 1, it was ours.”

After moving in, they've restructured about half the park, including taking out one half pipe and putting in more street-style obstacles.

After hearing about Fabrizi and Owens taking over the skatepark, Elizabeth and Steve Davis, owners of The Embassy Skate Shop in Mooresville, decided to move next door.

Sons Jordan and Jackson Davis are avid skateboarders. They help out selling in the store.

Embassy offers private and group lessons and will have workshops during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as well as next summer.

Embassy is holding a magazine release party and art show for Rare Breed Magazine from 8-10 p.m. Aug. 9. Anyone who visits the party and gets barbecue will get two hours of free skateboarding time at Static Skatepark.

Static will hold its School Daze skateboarding contest Sept. 28. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The contest starts at noon. Entry costs $15 for beginners and $20 for intermediate and advanced skateboarders. They are giving away $1,000 in cash and product to the contest winners.

Static’s summer hours of operation are noon-8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. They are also open for a late-night skate session 8-11 p.m. Fridays.

The cost to skate Monday through Friday is $7 per four-hour session or $12 all day. Saturday's cost is $8 per four hour session or $14 all day. Sunday's cost is $7 per three-hour session or $10 for the entire day. Friday's late night skate session costs $5.

After Aug. 26, the skate park will open at 4 p.m.

Want to go?

• The Embassy Board Shop is at 20924 Torrence Chapel Road, Suite B4, Cornelius. You can contact them at 704-995-6052 or visit www.TheEmbassyBoardshop.com.

• Static Skatepark is at 20924 Torrence Chapel Road, Suite 2A, Cornelius. You can contact them at 704-237-3451 or visit www.facebook.com/StaticSkateboards.